Chapter 190

The Hungry Ghost Reaper gazed around the area with a wistful look in its eyes.

Mini Reapers bustling about the master’s workshop suddenly became quiet as the Lead Doll escaped into the garden.

All that remained were a few Golden Reapers joyfully playing on the alchemical tools like playground equipment.

Seeing these cute, innocent, and curious Golden Reapers made one wonder what it would have been like if the master had children—they might have been just like this.

None of the many tools in the workshop held much meaning for the Hungry Ghost Reaper.

No matter how valuable something was, it lacked the memories that mattered.

The only things of significance were the master’s bed and the mirror.

Since the bed had been taken by the Lead Doll, only the mirror remained.

Clomp clomp.

Standing before the mirror after slowly walking over, familiar scenes began to play out again.

Though peering into the mirror used to bring sorrow and regret at the brilliance of an unreturnable past, today those feelings didn’t arise.

Instead, it quietly reminisced about the past while gazing at the images.

When the mirror finished replaying all the images and returned to normal, a strange expression stared back—a happy smile.

It wasn’t solely because it had survived to see the master’s plan through to the end.

Rather, it sensed something familiar from the Lead Doll.

“Perhaps the master resides within the Lead Doll.”

Even such a small hope brought immense joy to the Hungry Ghost Reaper.

Slowly rubbing its lips, it smiled even brighter.

Then, it tore the mirror from the wall and clomped off toward its new master.

***

The Tattooed Woman pulled up the pants her younger sister had handed her and slowly rose to her feet.

After dressing and standing up, she noticed her shirt had been cut at the abdomen, turning it into a crop top.

Though feeling slightly awkward with her stomach exposed, there was no way to get new clothes here, so she’d have to endure until they returned.

Still somewhat dizzy, lying down further wasn’t a great option either.

After all, South Korean government soldiers wouldn’t keep being held back by Tooth Guardians forever.

“Alright, let’s check out the final room.”

As the woman slowly moved from the reception room toward the workshop, her younger sister looked worried.

“Are you sure? Maybe you should rest a bit more…”

“This is enough.”

Though the Tattooed Woman tried to look confident, her sister’s face remained troubled.

She was probably imagining plenty of dangerous traps ahead.

But in this situation, moving forward was the right choice.

With two Tooth Guardians guarding the entrance, retreating was almost impossible.

Without reagents or being in good enough condition to swing a sword, plus driving the Rail Capsule while dizzy being akin to suicide, going forward was their only option.

“There’s no other choice but to move ahead.”

Upon hearing these points, her sister seemed understanding.

Together, they arrived at the alchemist’s workshop, where a highly sophisticated facility greeted them.

Among the equipment were some setups that made one question how such facilities could exist on Earth.

“Wow, this looks like an alchemist’s workshop straight out of a manga.”

Her sister marveled at the sight before breaking into a mischievous grin.

“Your workshop feels more like a grandma’s herb drying room.”

“Well, I don’t know blacksmithing stuff, so making tools is tough for me. Can’t help it.”

Inside the workshop lay intricately refined metal tools and beautifully crafted glass instruments.

Judging by the setup, the owner likely knew how to make tools themselves.

The crafting style wasn’t Earth-based but closely resembled that of the Kingdom.

A quick scan revealed the workshop’s owner was likely already dead.

The Tattooed Woman began collecting useful tools into her bag as she inspected the interior.

“Sis, sis! This looks super delicious!”

Her sister came running excitedly while holding a vial of liquid glowing in various colors.

Inside, wisps of vapor swirled, galaxies unfurled, and shapes appeared and disappeared.

“Do you really think that looks tasty?”

Raising an eyebrow, the Tattooed Woman questioned her sister.

“Yeah, what’s wrong with it?”

Her sister nodded while tilting her head at her sister’s odd reaction.

“Oh, try it then. Ah!”

“What?”

Before her sister could react, the Tattooed Woman shoved a bitter pill into her mouth.

“Huh?! Why did you do that, sis?!”

Frowning deeply due to the bitterness, her sister lightly punched her shoulder.

“Does it still look delicious?”

“Uh… now it doesn’t.”

Examining the liquid from all angles, her sister exclaimed, “This is amazing! It actually looks like something dangerous now. Reminds me of sparkling grass I saw when I was little!”

Upon hearing this, her sister dropped a shocking revelation.

“That’s poison—deadly poison to Objects. And it affects humans suffering from Mental Pollution too.”

With a serious expression, the Tattooed Woman lightly bonked her sister on the head.

“And the fact that you thought it looked tasty means you haven’t taken the pill yet.”

“S-sorry, sis.”

Seeing her sister bow her head dejectedly, the Tattooed Woman sighed deeply before gently patting her head.

“It’s fine. Just be careful next time.”

“Okay.”

With the atmosphere lightened, her sister quickly brightened up and replied.

After storing the poison in her bag, they resumed searching the workshop.

Curious about everything, her sister wandered deeper inside.

In a corner, she found a tool endlessly spinning in circles without electricity.

“Is this a centrifuge?”

While observing, she noticed a button beneath the device and pressed it.

The rapidly spinning tool slowed down and eventually stopped, revealing numerous Golden Reapers hanging precariously.

“Are you guys alright?”

After untangling the ropes around their necks, the Golden Reapers fell onto the floor, though still smiling brightly despite their dizziness.

Who would do such a thing?

Tying adorable creatures to a high-speed rotating machine was truly devilish!

Yet, despite looking disoriented, the Golden Reapers laughed happily.

“Let’s go back now.”

From deep within the workshop, her sister heard her sibling’s voice.

Carrying the Golden Reapers, she followed the sound and found her sister waiting in the middle of an empty room.

“Sis?”

Looking at her confused sister, the woman grinned and explained.

“We can exit through here too. Since reusing our entrance would be difficult, it’s lucky we have an escape route.”

Though her sister didn’t fully understand, she stayed close to her sibling.

With a blue flash, both sisters vanished into the depths of the stone chamber.

***

Tut-tut.

Golden Reapers were clinging all over my face, hitting me repeatedly.

The reason? Simple.

I drank all the delicious-looking beverage myself.

I had considered sharing but ended up finishing it all.

Long after I had drunk it, the smooth sensation lingered in my mouth.

“It was yummy…”

Upon hearing my unintentional confession, the Golden Reapers looked betrayed and started tut-tutting even harder.

“Sorry, sorry!”

Their angry tutting continued until a new Hungry Ghost appeared.

Rubbing my cheeks, which had been hit earlier, I looked down at the newcomer.

A tie-wearing, bipedal White Hungry Ghost.

It looked kind of cute.

Its tie reminded me of the Butler Hungry Ghosts I had killed by pulling out their teeth.

“Hand!”

Finding its two-legged walk amusing, I gestured for it to show me its hand.

It placed its tiny hand on my palm, which I promptly tore off and ate.

Unfortunately, it tasted exactly like marshmallows.

“Hehehe.”

The new Hungry Ghost looked betrayed, hiccupping tears as it stared up at me.

Hungry Ghosts really are great at making pitiful expressions.

Hehe.

Just as I was about to laugh and go eat my senior White Hungry Ghost, the new one blocked my path.

It struck a peculiar pose and tensed up.

Something grotesque formed within its fluffy marshmallow body.

Proudly showing off its monstrous form, it stared up at me.

Upon seeing it, I reflexively screamed.

The new Hungry Ghost, looking confused as if asking “Why?”, was torn apart by spatial compression.

What a surprise!

It was a hybrid of the grotesque muscle-statue Hungry Ghosts and Butler Hungry Ghosts…

Disgusting.

***

Gray Reaper and the Tattooed Woman departed, leaving the park now filling with Association vehicles.

Endless heavily armed cars kept arriving.

Bodyguards fanned out, securing the perimeter.

They wore cutting-edge U.S.-made gear unavailable to regular Association agents.

An Association researcher wearing a helmet watched this display with annoyance.

To him, the most useless officer in the Association was coming.

One of the assistants to the president of the Korean Object Association.

Nicknamed Goldbug.

Known for loving bribes and gold.

Goldbug had no remarkable abilities and cared only for personal gain.

Rather than helping, he actively hindered the struggling Association.

It even looked like he was using Association forces as private soldiers.

A middle-aged man stepped out of a luxury sedan, leaning on a golden staff, swinging it ostentatiously as he gave orders.

“Clear it away.”

At his command, a barrage of gunpowder and bullets reduced the white muscular statues to ash.

Each explosion sent up bursts of white flames.

These appeared to be Object-specific rounds manufactured exclusively in the U.S., imports of which were supposedly banned under the guise of promoting domestic Object industry development.

Though rumors existed about smugglers secretly using them, seeing an Association officer openly employing them was unprecedented.

Under the protection of bodyguards, Goldbug advanced slowly.

His face gleamed with greed, like a prospector hunting for gold.